Checklist for prospective graduate students

• A complete resume will only state facts and not opinions (let the person you are sending it to decide whether you are qualified) and will contain:
• Education history
• Degree(s)
• Institute(s) at which degree was awarded
• Start and end (or expected end) dates
• Grade point average or percentage scored
• Individual GRE scores for
• Quantitative
• Verbal
• Analytical
• TOEFL scores
• Projects completed
• Project title
• Project duration (start and end dates)
• Brief one paragraph description with a clear indication of your contributions
• Publications with complete citations
• Thesis
• Journal papers
• Conference papers
• Programming experience
• e.g., C, C++, FORTRAN, PASCAL, Java
• Computer platforms familiar
• e.g., SUN, HP, DEC, SGI, PC
• Operating systems familiar
• e.g., DOS, UNIX, Windows95/NT
• Math packages familiar
• e.g., Matlab, Maple, Mathcad, Mathematica
• CAD Packages
• e.g., ACIS, UniGraphics (Parasolid), ProEngineer (ProDevelop), Ideas (Open Ideas), Catia
• FEM/BEM Packages
• e.g., Ansys, Nastran, Ideas
• List of courses
• A correct graduate student resume will be:
• spell checked
• gramatically correct
• factually correct
• well organized
• no opinions (e.g., I am the best student in my class - let your GPA or transcripts show that!)
• An honest graduate student resume will
• not exaggerate the skills or experiences that are presented
Note: About 75% of the time, I can tell from the complete application packet whether the student is exaggerating. At such a point you will not be considered further, because I will not be able to trust you. The remaining 25% of those who exaggerate and get through, will be found out soon after you start your work. Exaggeration (e.g., claiming that you are familiar with C++ and UniGraphics when you probably just saw a demonstration or briefly read about it in a book; i.e., you do not have a working knowledge of C++ or UniGraphics) comprises gross academic misconduct and falsifying of evidence. I reserve the right to (a) terminate your RA, (b) leave a permanent note in your case file, or (c) ask you to take several compensatory courses at your own expense, depending on the degree of academic misconduct.
• indicate if you are on academic probation, or if there are other unpleasant surprises
Note: Usually, if a student is not entirely honest it comes out sooner or later. I would rather hear it from the student upfront, than coming to know of it later through student records. If I get to know about it indirectly, I will not consider the student for an RA position. The student stands a better chance for an RA position by being honest. I understand that different students have different circumstances under which they work, and different capabilities and I will sincerely let you know if we will work well together.

Often times, graduate students will say that they are interested in the field, just to get a foot in the door. This is not a good strategy for the long run. At the moment, I honestly cannot afford to spend money on a student who wants to "try out working with Dr. Sarma". I will let you know when I have the money for students to try. Please talk to me (or correspond with me by e-mail or phone) before you make a commitment to work with me. Then make up your mind and stick with it through the good and bad parts! Graduate research is not easy (do not make the mistake of thinking that you will get a degree without working hard). This does not mean that graduate research is difficult. It just takes commitment and perseverance!

Again often times, graduate students (especially international students) apply to many schools to maximize the chance of obtaining an RA. Students get caught up in contacting umpteen professors and signing more than one acceptance letter (this is illegal though schools do not pursue this issue). I do not have the time or resources to play this game with prospective graduate students (by the time I realize that students are actually going elsewhere it is too late to make offers to other students). If you want an RA position with me, and are sure you are interested in my field, send me your resume. I will give you an honest appraisal of your chances. If I tell you that I your chances are good it means that 95% of the time I will make you an offer. I will not tell you that your chances are good if I do not have positions to offer. Since I am being upfront with you, I expect that you also honestly let me know if you are interested in waiting for an offer from another school. If I do not have the time to wait for you, I will withdraw my offer and make it to someone else. I will also make a commitment to you that once you have accepted my offer, I will not change my mind when a potentially better student comes by; can you make the same commitment if you get an offer from a better school?

This question is again for students (especially international students) who intend to switch departments or schools with the intention of using this opportunity as a stepping stone. At this point in my career, I cannot afford to have this happen to me. As a decent human being, I appeal to your good side to not contact me at all if you plan on switching.

Note: Financial support will be provided for students willing to pursue a Masters degree with the thesis option and for students pursuing a PhD degree. Financial support will not be provided for students pursuing a Masters degree with non-thesis option or for students not willing to fulfill the requirements for Masters or PhD degrees.

• A Masters degree with non-thesis option (creative component) will include
• 1 conference paper
• an ISU creative component report
• A Masters degree with thesis option will include
• 1 conference paper in a peer reviewed conference
• 1 journal paper in a reputed journal
• an ISU Masters thesis
• A PhD degree will include
• 4 journal papers in reputed journals
• an ISU PhD thesis

• Your resume
• Official reports of GRE/TOEFL scores
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate institutes that you attended
• Statement of purpose
• Three recommendation letters
• Completed department application form